Blue moon promise (Under Texas Stars)

by Colleen Coble

Paperback, 2012

Status

Available

Call number

813.54

Publication

Thomas Nelson Publishing (2012), 320 pages

Description

Fiction. Romance. Suspense. Christian Fiction. HTML: "Coble is a great writer, she knows what readers want and she does not disappoint."â??Romantic Times Lucy Marsh's worldly resources are running out, but she's fiercely determined to care for her younger brother and sister. When she discovers that their father's recent death was no accident, Lucy is eager to leave town. She accepts a proxy marriage she believes will provide safe refuge. But trouble follows her to Texas where her new husband is surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to care for. Nate Stanton always hoped he'd marry someday, but running the family ranch meant he had no time for romance. When his father deposits Lucy Marshâ??a city girlâ??on his doorstep, with two siblings in the bargain, he expects ranch life will send her running on the first train out of town. But Lucy is made of tougher stuff than Nate imagined. When danger moves in, Nate finds he'd give anything to protect Lucy and the children he's grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch. Blue Moon Promise is a story of hope, romance, and suspense . . . immersing the reader in a rich historical tale set under Texas st… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member RivkaBelle
Book provided by publisher for review.
Review originally published on my blog AWordsWorth.blogspot.com

Elements of Blue Moon Promise reminded me of the story of Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis (considering that there are multiple references to this story, I think it's fair to say we should make that
Show More
connection). Lucy's father has died in a tragic accident, and her stepmother opted to leave her two children - Jed and Eileen - with Lucy while she moseyed off with her boyfriend. It's a bleak situation, made worse by the fact that Lucy suddenly finds herself unemployed, evicted, and being followed by a stranger. When one of her father's former friends shows up with a proposition, Lucy decides it's God's answer to her problems, and she agrees to marry his son - Nate - by proxy.

Upon arriving at the Stars Above Ranch in Texas, Lucy finds that she has her work cut out for her in terms of earning the respect - let alone love - of her new husband. Nate's first reaction to Lucy is loud and vehement: he's not interested in a wife, and especially not a wife his father picked out for him. And she's so tiny and from the city - how will she ever survive on a cattle ranch? As Lucy begins to work at making Nate's tiny cabin into a home, and they slowly get to know each other, each realizes they were wrong and God knew what He was doing when things fell into place the way they did. Eileen and Jed do a lot to smooth the transition as well, though all is far from perfect - and there are many struggles and obstacles to face. Obstacles like discovering someone has followed them from Indiana to Texas, and lingering uncertainties about their father's death. Every thing that occurs tests Nate and Lucy to their core, and each has to come to terms with their pride and need to control every aspect.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this story play out - I wasn't sure where it was going, and a few of the twists and turns caught me by surprise. There were enough details to flesh out the context without coming across as a super technical read on cattle ranching and frontier life. Lucy was a delightfully flawed heroine, as was Nate - where most Christian fiction characters come across as perfect (and thus my main problem with a lot of Christian fiction), Lucy and Nate are very human. I could relate to them, and their struggles - it was believable and realistic. And a truly beautiful story.
Show Less
LibraryThing member BooksCooksLooks
Lucy Marsh finds herself without a job and trying to care for her young brother and sister when providence seems to drop an answer in her lap; marry the son of an old friend of her father's and go back to the town where her mother was born. But is marrying a stranger the right thing to do? When her
Show More
house is broken into and she no longer feels safe she takes the man, Mr. Stanton up on his offer and she packs up the family's few belongings and heads down to Texas and a new life.

Nate Stanton had spent his life trying to please his father and build the family ranch. He hadn't given much thought to a wife but when he did he assumed he would marry the daughter of the rancher next door so the two spreads would combine. When his father comes home with a tiny city girl he doesn't know what his father was thinking. How can this sprite of a girl handle ranch life?

Lucy soon proves him wrong with her organizing and cooking skills and he finds himself building a respect for her that soon turns to love. Lucy comes to realize that Nate is a good man and that she could build a life with him. She learns how to be a ranch wife and even comes to enjoy it. But will a secret from her father's past destroy all they have started to build?

This was a very charming tale of two strangers coming to love one another. Two differing personalities learning to cope with those differences and learn from them. Lucy was a young lady who always wanted control of a situation and had to learn to give up that need. Sometimes life is not in our control. Nate had to accept that he needed help. The love story is sweet and it comes along slowly and truly. The characters are defined and the conflict well written. I found myself rooting for their romance to survive. Lucy had a loving mother who she couldn't remember but who left her a legacy that would help Nate bury a long standing feud. The two of them found they are much stronger together than apart. What more can you ask for in a romance?
Show Less
LibraryThing member ReviewsFromTheHeart
To say that Lucy Marsh is having a really bad day would be an understatement. Today she has managed to lose her job through no fault of her own, its simply a sign of the times and those times are looking up for anyone. However she has also just recently lost her father and her mother decided to
Show More
skip town with her new "friend" and leave her with the job of raising her younger brother Jed, and her younger sister Eileen.

Now just arriving home with no hopes for money, she is met at her door by Mr. Cramer, her landlord, who informs her that he is selling the building and it's going to be torn down. She has a week to find suitable housing elsewhere.

Now she finds herself at odds with what to do, not only that but a man has been stalking her outside of her work and home lately and she's afraid with no one in the house but her and the children. When she opens the door to greet the children, she finds Henry Stanton of Larson, Texas who tells her that Jed has attempted to steal his wallet. He was waiting to talk to Lucy when she walked in from work.

Learning of her father's death and her mother's recent departure with another man, he offers Lucy a proposal that just may save her, but the cost may be more than she can bare. He asks her to marry his son Nate by proxy and in return will provide them with a stable place to stay and food for the children. Is this the answer to her prayer? Shouldn't she at least meet the man to see if they are suitable? Perhaps true love can come once in blue moon!

To find out just what happens, you'll have to pick up Colleen Coble's latest novel, Blue Moon Promise. She wrote this novel with a whole lot of herself put into the character of Lucy. Lucy will have to suffer through her own issues with a lack of control until she realizes that only God is ultimately in control. While we may trust God and are content to rest with what He has for us, when hard times come, we try to rely on our own strength to often instead of turning our burdens over to God and leaving them with Him. This is what Lucy will hope to learn in this novel.

I received Blue Moon Promise compliments of Litfuse Publicity for my honest review and being a huge fan of Colleen Coble's there hasn't been any book I haven't come to love. This one is no exception. As a reader, you are immediately immersed in poor Lucy's situation and often find yourself wondering just what you would do. A great story with a great reminder of trusting in God and for that reason I think it deserves a 5 out of 5 stars. This is the first book in her Under The Texas Stars series and I will be reading the rest!
Show Less
LibraryThing member gincam
Colleen Coble is a gifted storyteller, and I appreciate her wonderful way with words more and more with each book. "Blue Moon Promise" is the first entry in the "Under Texas Stars" series, and it is a great beginning! Two things really stood out about this lovely historical western romance: the
Show More
remarkable heroine, and the way that the story line got better and better until I hated to see it end. I could have read more about the characters and the events in their lives. Lucy Marsh provides for her younger brother and sister with great care, often enduring hardship herself so that the children will be fed and sheltered. When their father dies under suspicious circumstances and their stepmother runs off with another man, Lucy is determined to keep her siblings Jed and Eileen safe. An unexpected visit from an old family acquaintance brings a surprising solution to the desperate situation of Lucy and the children. Henry Stanton had been contacted by Lucy's stepmother when her father died, and after sizing up Lucy and her predicament, he offers her marriage by proxy to his son, Nate, and a home at the Stanton ranch. A threat involving a business deal of her father's places the family in peril, and Lucy agrees to the strange marriage arrangement. She and the children leave the city life they have always known and head to the Stanton family ranch to face the promise of an unknown and challenging new world. When Nate meets his new wife and family, he is not just surprised, he is furious with his father! Lucy is small and genteel, and appears far too delicate to survive the rigors of ranch life. Nate has been somewhat of a confirmed bachelor, set in his ways, and used to the rough and tumble life of a working ranch. He never imagined that he would suddenly find himself married to a city woman with a ready-made family. However, Lucy is a woman of great fortitude, and she gradually earns Nate's respect and admiration as she adapts and makes the best of her new life. Young Jed shows an aptitude and eagerness as a beginning ranch hand, and little Eileen effortlessly steal Nate's heart. The four of them settle into Nate's rugged cabin on the family land, and Lucy soon has the place feeling just like home with her good cooking and housekeeping skills. As she and Nate form a tentative friendship, there are those around them with their own agenda, and the lies and secrets of others may keep the couple from ever being truly husband and wife. Lucy and Nate must learn to trust each other as they try to uncover the source of the manipulations and mysteries which threaten their budding happiness. Historical western romance with a suspense element makes for a mighty fine read, and I look forward to the next book in the series: "The Red River Bride".

Review Copy Gratis Amazon Vine
Show Less
LibraryThing member ReviewsbyMolly
Colleen Coble has always been a wonderfully talented author with her ability to take romance, Godly messages, and fabulous characters and mix them all with a bit of suspense. Her stories capture the hearts of readers instantly and before you realize, you're at the end of another fabulous novel.
Show More
Blue Moon Promise is one of those amazingly written novels filled with a powerful plot line and intriguing suspenseful elements.

A story filled with hope, honor, trust and second chances, this book takes the reader on a whirlwind of emotions. Lucy Marsh is left to raise her young siblings, Jed and Eileen, after her father was found murdered. Their mother was gone, and their step mother...well let's just say that she didn't stay around long. So, when she's forced to make a decision of an arranged marriage by her father's friend, or risk being evicted from the home she lives in, she sets off to meet her new husband.

Nate Stanton is not only shocked to find his father has brought him a wife, but also that she comes as a packaged deal: her siblings. Knowing that he could never love her, he is reluctant to jump into the marriage. But, when trouble arises for Lucy and her siblings, and Nate's father falls ill, he agrees to the marriage.

As each new page turn brings another twist here, and events happen through the book that pushes the turns of the story to the center of the readers heart, you'll be swept away on a head-spinning ride, as Lucy and Nate realize that love and faith in God can over come any circumstance, good or bad.

I truly enjoyed this historical 5 Book worthy novel from this seasoned author. Ms. Coble always has a way with her writing that touches the readers deep in their soul. I highly recommend this novel to everyone and I can't wait for another book in this series to release. I loved all the characters in this novel and can't wait for the trip back to Texas to visit with my new friends once again!

This review originated at Reviews By Molly in part with a blog tour.
Show Less
LibraryThing member BarbsReviews
Lucy Marsh has had some bad luck with her father passing away, someone stealing some important merchandise from her fathers pawn shop, raising her two young siblings, and now losing her job. She did not know how she was going to take care of the children then that same night she lost her job she
Show More
learns they are getting evicted from their home as well. A knock comes to the door when she opens it there is a man standing there that can change everything for Lucy and her brother and sister.

Henry Stanton was looking at Lucy and explained her step mother wrote to him and asked for help. He offered Lucy a one time deal of marrying his son. She would be a ranchers wife and her siblings would have a new home and no worries. After much thinking over night, Lucy packed up everyone and left with Henry the next day to her new home and new husband Nate Stanton.

Nate wasn't too thrilled to see her and at first thought she was his fathers new wife. How will Lucy cope with a husband who doesn't want her or thinks she can't handle farm life.

I throughly enjoyed this nice relaxing book. Nate was my favorite character in the book. He was not thrilled to see Lucy, and was determined to be head strong. He has this way about him that makes you want to like him. Not at first mind you. He is almost set in his ways. He and Lucy have a lot in common as her parents were now all gone and she lost her mom at an early age like he did. He is caring and wants to do right.

Lucy was the least of my favorites as she was constantly trying to prove herself to everyone not just herself or even Nate. She ended up getting herself into some scrapes instead of what she wanted to do. She was always afraid of Nate not loving her. It got a bit too much at times.

Overall the characters and plot were well-played out. The research was great as you felt like you were back in the same era and wanting to be a rancher or could imagine yourself as one. I will re-read this book.
Show Less
LibraryThing member judyg54
This book was a real winner! I liked most everything about it. It had a little suspense and intrigue, (and an ending I wasn't really expecting), and alot of romance just waiting to happen, loveable kids, a tiny little lady who had lots of spunk, and a cowboy who needed a lady's tender touch.
Show More
Colleen Coble has written an endearing story and as the author said in the beginning of this book, only God knows the best journey for us. We need to let go and trust Him. He is the one who is ultimately in charge, although we all at times try to take charge of things ourselves.

Lucy Marsh was one of those ladies who had to take charge she thought. She finds herself taking care of her little brother and sister after her father is killed and her step-mother abandons them. She is now without a job and soon to be kicked out of their home, when a man who knew her father visits them and offers her a home for her family in Texas if she will marry by proxy his son and travel back to Texas with him. Lucy finds herself excepting the offer and taking her family to Texas. Needles to say Nate Stanton is NOT pleased to find his father has brought home a wife for him. He takes one look at the petite young Lucy and knows she could never make it on their cattle ranch and survive. Lucy though is out to prove she can be the wife Nate needs. It is fun and endearing to watch both Lucy and Nate change and to watch them dance around their feelings for each other. I loved Lucy and her determination. They were both honest and outspoken at times and it was always interesting to see the situations Lucy kept finding herself in and Nate having to help her out of them.

Lucy was someone we can all relate to. We say we trust God and what he has for us, but then hard times come and we start relying on ourselves instead of God. I liked the advice given to Lucy in the book, "Life happens, Lucy. Good and bad, they come to all of us sooner or later. We can't will away the bad things. They are part of what shapes us into the people we become." Lucy must learn she can't earn love by being what she thinks people want her to be, but people love her for who she really is. Alot of good lessons to learn in a delightfully entertaining way. Looking forward to more stories in this series. I also want to thank Thomas Nelson Publishing for sending me this story to review via NetGalley.
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 14, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1595549153
ISBN-13: 978-1595549150
Show Less
LibraryThing member love2readnovels
Lucy March is not sure what she's going to do. She's lost her job at the dressmakers and she's being evicted from her home. On top of that she's caring for her younger brother and sister because her their mother (Lucy's step-mother) took off shortly after their father was killed in a buggy
Show More
accident. Lucy would like to provide a good home for them but she's not sure how she'll do that. The Lord seems to answer her plea by way of Henry Stanton. Henry says he wants to help her but the only way he will is if she agrees to marry his son, Nate, by proxy. After much thought, she reluctantly agrees. Nate is dismayed to find out what his father has done. How could he marry him off without his knowledge and especially to someone who looks so unfit for ranch life. Not only that, but she has younger siblings that are now his responsibility. Slowly but surely though, he begins to see that she's made of tougher stuff then he thought. They are trying to do the right thing but obstacles seem to be popping up everywhere and danger seems to be lurking just around the corner.

This is definitely going down as a favorite of mine. There were so many things I loved about this story. It's easy to read but the storyline is so tightly knit. It seems like there was no extra words anywhere. It all meant something. I really like that! The characters are so full of life and interesting to spend time with. I had so much admiration for Lucy. She inspired me with her courage and determination. Nate was such an awesome guy but a little rough around the edges. Nothing Lucy couldn't fix, of course! The kids are absolute gems. The way the story played out was so realistic and true to life. The slow build between Lucy and Nate is absolute torture but keeps you quickly flipping those pages, right to the very end. I couldn't put it down and when I absolutely had to, I found myself anxious to get back to it. It's got mystery, danger, romance and a great spiritual message about letting God take control. I think this is one of Colleen's best work. Blue Moon Promise is one I highly recommend. A thank you goes to Thomas Nelson who provided me with this complimentary copy through Netgalley for my review. Great job, Colleen!!!
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 14, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1595549153
ISBN-13: 978-1595549150
Show Less
LibraryThing member Robin661
Blue Moon Promise
Colleen Coble

The basic storyline is a young woman in great need, who is raising 2 younger siblings, and a marriage prospect. Along the way there is a Hatfield & McCoy feud. Someone threatening both main characters. Mystery of many sorts. Poverty, wealth and survival. This was a
Show More
quick, easy read that waited until the end to resolve the mysteries. It was a much anticipated book for me and one I was quick to pick up and difficult to put down.
The only disappointment is while there was suspense it was anticlimactic at the end. All the mysteries were tied of although it seemed as if the story ran out of steam. It was well written for the majority of the story. The lacking part was that Ms. Coble did not have her intense suspense that makes going on something that you almost want to do with your eyes closed. I would recommend this story since the pieces of the mystery fed were enticing, the rivalry was believable and the resolution to much of the story was more realistic than can be expressed.
I want to thank Net Galley, Book Sneeze and Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.
Show Less
LibraryThing member RavenswoodPublishing
Book Title: "Blue Moon Promise”
Author: Colleen Coble
Published By: Thomas Nelson
Age Recommended: 17+
Reviewed By: Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating: 4.5

Review: A wonderful story! Lucy Marsh has a brother and sister that now rely on her to make a way for them after their father dies under mysterious
Show More
circumstances. Finding herself charged with the task she decides to uproot her small family and relocate to Texas where a new future awaits. Part mystery and part love story this book is packed to the hilt with action, romance, and the love of family.
Lucy Marsh is a worthy heroine and Colleen Coble an equally worthy writer. This book is a must-read for historical romance/mystery readers!
Show Less
LibraryThing member vintagebeckie
Lucy Marsh is determined to keep her brother and sister together following her father’s death and step-mother’s desertion. When a stranger breaks into their home making threats, Lucy takes a chance and enters a proxy marriage to a man who doesn’t even know he is looking for a wife. That’s
Show More
how Colleen Coble’s first book in the Under Texas Stars series, Blue Moon Promise begins. Seem a bit far-fetched? Not in Texas in the late 1800s! Lucy takes control, just like she is used to doing. But what seems like a reasonable solution to keep her family safe and together, soon makes Lucy think she really isn’t in control at all. Waiting at the end of her journey in Texas is Nate Stanton. Nate has no idea of the plans his father has for him for a new wife and the future of their ranch. Faced with a wife he didn’t ask for and a ready made family, Nate reacts normally and negatively.

Colleen Coble has created a very determined woman in the petite Lucy. Small in stature, she is big in determination and grit. Sure that God can make her marriage work, Lucy takes on the challenge the only way she knows how — through her own plans and devices. The author readily admits that Lucy’s struggle to let God take over is her own, and she writes Lucy’s character very convincingly. Nate is also well-written. It takes some time to get used to his new family, but he trusts that God will make a way.

If you like historical romance, you will love Blue Moon Promise. There is also a mystery surrounding Lucy’s father’s death that follows the family to Texas. The suspense lingers until the end. And there is more than one surprise twist in store for Lucy and Nate.

Recommended.

I received a review copy of this book from LitFuse
Show Less
LibraryThing member TeamDewey
Family issues, western type romance
LibraryThing member Becky_McKenna
This was a lovely story about two fiercely independent people learning to put their faith in God and in each other. I enjoyed the practical application of scripture and prayer woven into Lucy and Nate's story. In some Christian Romances, the author can overpower the story with Scripture and causing
Show More
it to come across as forced or judgmental, but not so in this case. It was refreshing to read with realistic characters and a nice reminder of the powerful gift of prayer.

The story itself was also very well done and very engaging. The mystery and suspense that surrounded Lucy and her siblings kept me turning pages well into the night. Some of the best scenes were between Nate and Jeb as their relationship grew. Jeb was such a strong boy and it was neat the way Nate took him under his wing right from the start.

This was my first experience with Colleen Coble's work. I'm definitely a fan!
Show Less
LibraryThing member caslater83
This book was good, clean, wholesome, etc. I live in the suburbs of DFW, Texas, so when I found out that the setting of this book was in the Wichita Falls region, I wanted to read it because I've been to Wichita Falls.

As far as the story goes, it's okay. It's not your typical mail-order bride type
Show More
of story. It's a marriage by proxy (which means that you can be legally married to someone without being physically present at the ceremony).

I really like Lucy. She's full of fire and love. Always trying to prove her worth to her husband. I think she's very self-conscious about what other people think about her, which is why she's driven to prove them wrong.

Nate struck me as a bachelor that may be mature as far as business goes, but immature in matters of the heart. I think he learned to grow up when Jed and Eileen became part of the household.

I think it's a fair start to the series. I would only hope that the sequels are stronger.
Show Less

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

320 p.; 8.38 inches

ISBN

1595549153 / 9781595549150

Similar in this library

Page: 0.658 seconds